Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

"Drunk Threesome" Captain Loses Boat AND Driver's License Over Sea Crash


By

Jen Chung

Published Jun 24, 2014

Modified Jun 24, 2014


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

istockphoto © sunemotion

 


By

Jen Chung

Published Jun 24, 2014

Modified Jun 24, 2014


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The boat captain who crashed his vessel into runway approach lights at Laguardia Airport—during an alleged drunken "three-way sex romp"—was in court yesterday. And, naturally, the Post was there to feed from his shame.

The Post reported:

Craig Gallo, 51, sporting a massive bandage on his forehead and wearing baggy red hospital scrubs, whined when he learned in Queens Criminal Court that both his boating and motor vehicle licenses would be revoked for allegedly operating his fishing vessel while drunk.

“The officer told me it was just going to be my boat license,” he sniffed in court.

“No — both,” Judge Gia Morris sternly replied.

Apparently Gallo wasn't even at the helm when it crashed on Saturday; the Post had reported on Monday, "The wild night began Saturday in a tavern in College Point, Queens, where...Gallo... James Benenato, 60, and Mary Ann Belson, also 60, began chatting between drinks, another source said.... Gallo, who lives in New Jersey and works for a financial company on Long Island, invited them aboard for a moonlight cruise. And before very long, the boat was rocking." Eventually, it went into the pier.

2014_07_runwaylights.jpg
Via MyFoxNY

Further, "Photos taken after the crash showed a dozen or so Budweiser beer cans overflowing a bucket and strewn about the deck and cabin, with sheets and clothing strewn about the ship’s cramped cabin." Gallo refused to take a Breathalyzer test.

Gallo suffered facial injuries, as did Belson. Benenato escaped the dangerous yet sexxxxy evening without injury. The incident also raised security concerns, because the Port Authority's navy only operates in the day, so when this crash occurred, the Port Authority had to call the NYPD.

Tagged

boat captain

laguardia airport

queens

threesome


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves

The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.

By

Arya Sundaram

and

Samantha Max

Published Oct 14, 2026 at 5:26 p.m. ET


Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid

Kyle Taylor, a dean at Mott Bridges Academy, says he made a legal bus transfer.

By

Carol Chen

News

Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid

Kyle Taylor, a dean at Mott Bridges Academy, says he made a legal bus transfer.

By

Carol Chen


National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter

By

Rosemary Misdary

Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law

By

Jon Campbell

2 men accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD detective in the Bronx plead not guilty

By

Charles Lane

and

Brittany Kriegstein


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .